Hosted by the Travel & Tourism Section.

From the NBA All-Star Game and the BCS College Football Championship to the NCAA Men’s Final Four and this year’s “Big Game,” New Orleans has, in the last many years, reemerged as one of the nation’s leading destinations for major sporting events. The city’s perseverance, creativity and collaborative focus are only a few of the secrets of success that is positioning New Orleans as a leading sports destination. Learn from the experts:

How New Orleans makes itself marketable to secure major sporting events.

How the city turns these opportunities into tourism successes.

Presenters

Cicero joined the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation in 1990 as director of special projects, and director of sales for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. In February 1993, Cicero was named the first general manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs. In 1995, Cicero returned to the Sports Foundation and in 1997 was named president/CEO. He has managed a plethora of events, including the annual New Orleans Bowl, NCAA Women’s Final Four and NCAA Men’s Final Four Tournaments, SEC Basketball Tournaments, NFL “Big Games,” and most recently the NBA All-Star Game. In addition, he serves the community as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club/NFL-Youth Education Town, Tour de Lis, New Orleans Bowl and the American Italian Sports Hall of Fame.

Romig leads the city’s official leisure travel promotion agency and is responsible for enhancing the tourism industry through effective marketing and promotional programs. He is an established public relations and marketing professional and is Accredited (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).